Ex-Raider To The Lost Ark

   Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton is digging furiously to get out of a hole of his own creation. Meaning, the hole may be getting deeper.

   Hamilton infamously extended Philip Fulmer's contract last season, only to fire him this season -- to the awful tune of a $6 million buyout.

   Now he appears poised to hand the orange reins to the unproven 33-year-old Lane Kiffin. The guy has the most misleading NFL reference imaginable on his resume -- head coach of the Raiders, which doesn't count, given Oakland's sorry state. He had a short stint as offensive coordinator at Southern Cal -- not too shabby, until you notice he shared play-calling duties with another aide.

    Because of the Fulmer buyout, Hamilton may have restricted himself in the coaching search with a maximum $2 million-a-year salary package. Sad to say, that's relatively cheap for an SEC power, and it probably eliminated potential suitors.

   On the bright side, Kiffin has the reputation as an effective recruiter, which fills a need at talent-depleted Tennessee. Still, wouldn't you think the Vols could have tapped a more season successor to Fulmer?

   Who should they have hired?

   We pick on Hamilton a lot, so let's applaud him for green-lighting "Philip Fulmer Appreciation Day" at Saturday's game against Kentucky. It's not too often a fired coach gets to exit to such recognition.

   Of course, if Kentucky ends a quarter-century losing skein to the Vols, the longest existing streak in the nation, the party will be spoiled. Still, nice move, Mike.

   Do you think Fulmer deserves his day?